New House Only Has Hot Fill Outlet

It is indeed, although it's not the first time I've heard of this. It sounds like it was a mistake, or it's a slot for a dishwasher. Although most dishwashers use a cold supply some can use a hot one. I'd expect modern houses to have plumbing for a dishwasher in the kitchen and separate plumbing in a small laundry room for a washer, or if too small for that then just plumbing in the kitchen for a washing machine.

It's a brand new house so can't understand why the housebuilder would do it, very strange

That might be a workaround - but if the house is rented, surely the landlord has a responsibility to provide electricity, water, plumbing for a washing machine? Show them my article and ask them to get cold water tap for washing machine installed because it is ruining delicate clothes and wasting gallons of hot water.

Thanks i've read the link you provided. I rent my property and not sure my landlady would want me messing with the plumbing. The only other thing I can think of is I have a combi boiler so if I turned the temp of water right down when I wash would this provide a solution?

The only thing you can do is get a plumber in to provide a proper cold supply. Otherwise it'll cost you a lot of wasted hot water and creased laundry every time you wash.

Hi Andy thanks for the reply. It's the first time I've ever seen it but have checked and there is only hot fill. I was advised to connect to the cold at the back of the washer and blank the hot off. Do you have any suggestions? Tammy